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Humanities 7 Syllabus 2015-16
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Humanities 7A: World Geography and Global Issues
2015-‐2016 Syllabus Course Information Prerequisite: 6th Grade Course Text: Various Email: [email protected]
Instructor Information Instructor: Mr. Valenzuela Room: 234 Office hours: Tuesdays 1:45-‐2:45 or by appointment (subject to change)
Required Materials:
1. A one-‐subject notebook for this class ONLY (four total, one for each term) 2. A folder or binder for handouts. 3. Tape and pencils. Optional: art supplies for projects throughout the year.
** Computer and Internet access are necessary to succeed in this class, so please ensure you have a computer at home, can stay after school, or are familiar with your local libraries!
Humanities 7A Essential Questions:
• Is geography destiny? How does geography shape who we are? How do we shape geography? How does geography help us understand our world?
• Interdisciplinary questions for 7th graders: Why is it important to understand and ask questions about the status quo or the “way things are done?” How can we apply our learning in order to imagine and create a better world?
Humanities 7A Goals and Outcomes: What will you be able to do at the end of the school year? 1. Mapping and Global Issues: Identify key countries and geographical features on every continent, and have proficient map skills to read, interpret, use, or make a variety of new maps. Write and speak with confidence about at least two important issues on each continent, and connect human events to elements on a map or other informational graphic. 2. Reading and Writing: “To read the word is to read the WORLD.” What this means is that in order to become a knowledgeable citizen, you must not only understand what you are reading, but you must also be able to QUESTION what you read. And in order to be taken seriously in just about any society, past or present, you have to be a GOOD writer. We will practice, practice, practice! 3. Argumentation and Presentation: We will debate throughout the year because the content we study doesn’t always have a “right” or “wrong” answer – YOU will decide! Your opinions, backed up by facts and evidence, will be heard on a regular basis. On occasion we will also have individual and group presentations.
4. Technology: We will be using a TON of technology this year, from word processing and presenting tools, to audio and visual software, to map-‐making tools, and much more. I did used to teach at TechBoston Academy after all ;) 5. Organization: If you take one thing away from this class, it might be just this! You will become an efficient and organized student, a skill that you can use in any class for the rest of your life! Humanities 7A Scope and Sequence
Units of Study
Topics Covered
Term
0. Building a Community of Scholars (September)
-‐ Student introductions and Community Building -‐ How to Research -‐ Intro to debating
Term 1
1. Intro to Mapping and Boston (September)
-‐ Boston Neighborhoods Project Presentations -‐ World Geography and Mapping Basics Overview -‐ How does geography shape who we are? How do we shape geography?
2. The Legacy of Conquest and Exploration (October)
-‐ Geography and background for Latin America -‐ Christopher Columbus and the Era of “Discovery” -‐ The People vs. Columbus et al. Mock Trial
3. Migration (November)
-‐ What are the push and pull factors immigrants coming to the United States? -‐ Reader’s Workshop: Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario
Term 2 4. Memory of Enslavement in Africa (December)
-‐ The legacy of enslavement and slave forts/castles in Ghana -‐ Committee Style Debate: How do remember painful or controversial histories?
5. Revolution and Independence in Africa (January)
-‐ Geography and background for Africa and Independence -‐ Country Research Projects
6. Conflict and War (February)
-‐ The conflicts in the Middle East/Southwest and Central Asia: the Iraq War, the Afghanistan War, the Syrian Civil War
Term 3 7. Transnational Politics and Peace (March)
-‐ The creation of the United Nations and other transnational bodies (EU, NATO, etc.) -‐ The use of diplomacy to promote and maintain peace -‐ Model UN: The 2015 European migration crisis
8. Population Challenges in Monsoon Asia (April)
-‐ How should countries like Japan, China, and India deal with overpopulation? -‐ Group presentations on methods for controlling overpopulation
Term 4 9. Building Resilience in Cities (May)
-‐ How do we develop resilience in a world where “crisis is the new normal”? -‐ Create a resilience plan for Boston on various crises
10. Symposium and Final (June)
-‐ Group Symposium project: Create a better world! -‐ Humanities 7 Final Exam: World Geography and Global Issues
Humanities 7A Expectations and Procedures: Attendance: Come to school everyday and on time! If you miss days, you can easily fall behind and get frustrated. If you do have to miss school, make sure you find out what you have missed from the class website and your classmates. Bring ALL of your materials with you to school each day! Be in class when the bell rings, or you will be marked TARDY, and can lose points in class participation (like the Do Now) or face other consequences like detention. At the beginning of class, take your seat and immediately, SILENTLY copy Homework in your Agenda, then start the Do Now, copying the entire heading at the top of your page. If there was written homework, open it on your desk so I can come around to check or collect it. During the lesson, actively participate in the lesson, answer questions when called upon, positively participate in partner or group activities, and ask questions when you’re stuck. Use the hand signals posted in class to let Mr. V if you need to leave your seat or the classroom. At the end of class, make you have turned in any completed work (if requested), taken the homework assignment, and cleaned your area before leaving. Remember: the bell does NOT dismiss you! Only Mr. V does! Behavior Expectations: You will BE respectful, BE prepared, BE safe, and BE responsible. No hoodies or hats, food, or electronics (like cell phones) or they may be confiscated. Violations of in-‐class expectations will result in the following order of consequences:
1. Individual warning. 2. Lowered participation grade and/or Detention. 3. Call home. 4. Intervention by a school Administrator.
Homework, Projects and Quizzes: Each night there is reading and/or writing homework that is checked the following day or an in-‐class quiz for reading homework. Quizzes will be given regularly to check on your notebook and organization, as well as content. At the end of each unit, you will take a unit test in addition to completing a project that demonstrates your learning. Late Work Policy: Plan ahead! If you are planning to submit an assignment late, please contact me, and in most situations please bring a note from home explaining your reason for the late work. Except in exceptional circumstances, late projects/papers lose points each day, and will not be accepted more than three days after the due date. Any late homework must be shown before or after school! Online Grades and Class Website: I update my class website (www.mrvalenzuela.com) daily, so please check there for class assignments are updated daily online and other updates. You may also monitor grades at any point online via SIS. Grading Percentages: Grades are point-‐based, so assignments with more points affect your grade more. In general, your grade will be determined by: Tests/Quizzes/Projects: 50%, Interactive Student Notebook (Classwork/Homework): 50%. Do all your work and make a good effort, and you’ll do well! Need to discuss something? This is an important skill – ask for help! I am here to help you succeed, and anything that is obstacle in the path to your success is something I will want to help you remove. Come see me before or after school, or send me a message (email, text, handwritten note).
Please read and sign below I have read the information and I fully understand what I’m expected to do in class. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of Student (Print) Signature of Student Date ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of Parent/Guardian (Print) Signature of Parent/Guardian Date ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Email Parent/Guardian Phone Best Way to Contact
BLA STANDARD TERM GRADING POLICY If a student has more than 3 unexcused absences in a term, he/she will receive a grade of “No Credit” (NC) even if the student would have otherwise earned a passing grade. If he/she has not earned a passing grade, he/she will receive an “F”. Note that skipping class and unexcused tardiness resulting in missing class are considered unexcused absences. Until an absence is excused, all work assigned during that time of absence will not receive credit. For absence and tardy policies, please refer to the student handbook. All make-‐up tests shall receive full credit and must be completed within 3 school days, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Student Expectations: Observe all school rules with focus on the following:
• Students are expected to be in the classroom on time. • Follow classroom procedures. • Treat other students and teachers with respect and care. • Be cooperative and not disruptive. • Study and complete assigned work. • Learn and master required content.
Expected Consequences: Warnings, Detentions, Parent Contact (as needed depending on situation), Removal from Class (when necessary). Parent Expectations:
• Read through course expectations and assignments. • Monitor students’ progress by way of the Student Informational System. • Connect directly with the teacher when there is a concern or issue via phone or email.
Plagiarism, Cheating, and Academic Integrity Plagiarism is the practice of copying words, sentences, images, or ideas for use in written or oral assessments without giving proper credit to the source. Cheating is defined as the giving or receiving of illegal help on anything that has been determined by the teacher to be an individual effort. Both are considered serious offenses and will significantly affect your course grade. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct for additional information.